Harrolds Racing is preparing to make a return to the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS grid at Queensland Raceway as Chris Batzios returns to the grid alongside Ross Poulakis.
Batzios was slated to contest the full 2024 Fanatec GT Australia season with Volante Rosso, but a health issue ruled him out for the opening two events after competing in Adelaide last year.
Queensland Raceway is where Poulakis last appeared in the category, but will make a return with his long-time friend in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 prepared by Volante Rosso Motorsport.
Poulakis has recently raced in the Australian Prototype Series as a factory Praga driver where he sits third in the standings.
Although the duo have never teamed up together, they have competed in the same operation in different entries, but will reunite in Adelaide as a leading Am combination.
Harrolds Racing branding will feature predominately on the Mercedes-AMG GT3 as it joins the second Volante Rosso Motorsport entry, an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in a new alignment with the British manufacturer.
Round 4 of Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS is at Queensland Raceway on August 2-4 as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries to be broadcast live on Network Seven.
QUOTES
Chris Batzios
#34 Harrolds Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
"I'm excited to come back, but I feel like I almost have to learn to drive again," said Batzios.
"I've got the all clear on the medical, which is great, so I'm just going to take it one race at a time, but I'm really pleased to be back.
"I'm excited to link back up with Ross too. To be doing it with him will be awesome. We embarked on this journey together two years ago, so good to pick that up again, and this time, being together in the same car.
"I love the Queensland Raceway track. It's always a fun track that provides good racing. It's tricky to get a good lap in a GT car around there, but it's definitely one of the more exciting tracks that we go to."
Ross Poulakis
#34 Harrolds Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
“I’m pretty excited about it,” said Poulakis.
“I haven’t been in a GT car since Queensland Raceway last year and there won’t be any testing, which will be interesting.
“My times for the experience I had compared to the Ams were very good and I think I qualified fourth there last year. It’ll be about building on that and seeing how quick I can get back into the rhythm.
“It’s entering for the fun element and if the results come it’ll be good.
“Pairing with my best friend, it’s something we’ve always wanted to do. We’ve been in the same team, but we’ve never driven together and we’re looking forward to pairing together for the first time at Queensland Raceway.
“When I first entered the category , I drove by myself in the Am Class and I think I scored four or five wins for the season. Then I made the jump into Pro-Am as part of the evolution of my racing career as I partnered up with Jayden Ojeda, which was great and taught me a lot, as did my race engineer Matt Harvey. Going back into that Am Class is the perfect re-introduction.
“I’ve signed up and driving in the Prototype Series as a Praga Australia factory driver, which has been a bit of fun. That’s my first commitment on the racing side of things this year, but we’ll see how the calendars align and how everything pans out from Queensland Raceway. I dare say we’ll have a discussion about that post-Queensland Raceway."
Harrolds Racing returns to Fanatec GT Australia with Volante Rosso
